I do not know whom to deal with in Pakistan: Manmohan

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh says he does not know whom to deal with in Pakistan noting that the Army is the most powerful force in that country and that it is virtually wielding power.

“I think the most elemental force in Pakistan is the Army ... We have to recognise that the power today virtually rests with the Army ... I do not think whether we have a partner right now,” he said, adding, “I do not know whom to deal with.”

Dr. Singh accused Pakistan of not doing enough to bring to book the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks observing that a “friendly” government there would be equally determined to tackle terrorism and take the case to its logical conclusion. “That is not happening.”

“No, they [Pakistan] have not done enough,” Dr. Singh told CNN in an interview taken in New Delhi and aired minutes before he arrived in Washington on the first state visit of the Obama Administration.

Asked if he believed that the Pakistan Army was serious in tackling terrorists, Dr. Singh said he was not certain if the military would take on those elements.

“There is democracy. We would like democracy to succeed and flourish in Pakistan, but we have to recognise that the power today virtually rests with the Army,” he said.

The Prime Minister said he did not think that India had a partner in Pakistan today.

“I do not think we have a partner right now. I think, when General Pervez Musharraf [was the President] I was to ask him and he said well I am the Army, I represent the armed forces, I represent the people. Now I do not know whom to deal with,” he said.

Dr. Singh said there could be no redrawing of borders in Kashmir.

“I have publicly stated that there can be no redrawing of borders [in Jammu and Kashmir],” the Prime Minister said.

“... but our two countries can work together to ensure that these are borders of peace, that people-to-people contacts grow in a manner in which people do not even worry whether they are located on this side of the border or that side.”